The Vital Role of Sleep in Hair Health
Sleep is crucial for overall health and plays a significant role in maintaining healthy hair. During deep sleep, your body goes into repair mode, regenerating cells and restoring vital functions. This includes the repair and growth of hair follicles. Lack of sleep disrupts these processes, potentially leading to hair thinning and loss.
Moreover, sleep deprivation can affect blood circulation to the scalp, starving hair follicles of vital nutrients and oxygen required for healthy growth.
What Science Says About Sleep and Hair Health?
Recent studies have highlighted the importance of adequate sleep for hair health. Research indicates that sleep deprivation can increase stress hormones, negatively impacting hair growth cycles. Have a look at this simplified overview:
- Research published in 2022 revealed that there is an increased risk of developing Alopecia Areata (defined as patchy hair loss) among patients with high stress, strong sleep apnea, and less than 6 hours of sleep.
- According to research that compared 51 alopecia areata patients and individuals with poor sleep, it was observed that hair loss was more prevalent in alopecia patients compared to those with significantly poor sleep. Moreover, individuals with Alopecia Areata suffering from anxiety or depression had poor sleep quality, further highlighting the need to address sleep and mental health to treat alopecia areata.
- In a greater study that involved 25,000 people, it was observed that sleep disorders increased the risk of developing Alopecia Areata. This further emphasizes the value of good sleep hygiene practices and managing sleep disorders to prevent hair loss.
Understanding the Stress, Sleep, and Hair Loss Triangle!
Stress and sleep are closely connected. High-stress levels can disrupt sleep patterns, and poor sleep can increase stress levels, creating a vicious cycle. Chronic stress and sleep deprivation can push hair follicles into a resting phase, leading to hair shedding and slower regrowth.
Stress is one of the effects of sleep deprivation, which ultimately causes hair loss. Chronic stress leads to inflammation in the body, which leads to the development of a condition called “Telogen Effluvium,” and its symptoms are extreme hair loss. Furthermore, stress and other factors, such as poor nutritional intake and sleep deprivation, contribute to hair shedding. Thus, triggering the hair that’s already ruined.
Scientific evidence also points towards the effects of chronic sleep deprivation where the normal hormonal rhythm is affected and stress hormones such as “cortisol” are elevated. High cortisol levels can also cause thinning of hair and hair shredding because it alters the hair growth cycle.
Considering that sleep deprivation is a significant contributor to stress and disrupts the cortisol balance of the body, it makes sense that lack of sleep could affect the cortisol levels found in hair samples and, consequently, the health of your hair itself. Thus, knowing how cortisol levels and sleep disruptions are related through hair analysis can highlight how poor sleep affects hair health.
Practical Tips for Better Hair Health
Thankfully, there are things you can do to enhance the quality of sleep and reduce the chances of experiencing hair loss corresponding to sleep deprivation. Follow these tips for a better hair health:
- Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up simultaneously every day, even on weekends.
- Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Wind down with calming activities such as reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath.
- Optimize Your Sleep Environment: Keep your bedroom dark, cool, and quiet. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows.
- Limit Screen Time Before Bed: Reduce exposure to blue light from screens at least an hour before bedtime.
- Stay Active and Eat Well: Regular exercise and a balanced diet can improve sleep quality and overall health.